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Flintoff rules out shirtless celebrations vs Aus

October 20, 2006 22:02 IST
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England captain Andrew Flintoff has ruled out another shirtless celebration if his team beats Australia in Saturday's must-win Champions Trophy game.

"No," he said. "It was embarrassing...10 seconds of madness."

Flintoff ran round Mumbai's Wankhede stadium waving his shirt after inspiring a thrilling England victory in the final one-dayer against India in 2001-02, a win that clinched a 3-3 draw in the series.

"That series was hinged on the final over," he told reporters on Friday. "There was all that emotion. It is not something I'll do again."

England and world champions Australia need to win their Group A tie to stay in the competition after losing their opening games.

Hosts India beat England by four wickets on Sunday while Australia lost by 10 runs to holders West Indies on Wednesday.

The contest has been dubbed the 'mini Ashes' in anticipation of England's first Test against Australia in Brisbane which starts on November 23.

The teams have not met since England triumphed in last year's home Ashes series.

Flintoff will be leading the team against Australia for the first time.

PROUD MOMENT

"Doing that against Australia is a proud moment," he said.

The all rounder brushed aside talk by Ricky Ponting's side to target him.

"We're playing against the best side in the world," said Flintoff. "It is going to be tough for all our players. They've got some great players and they play their cricket hard.

"They are favourites going in. It's about who holds their nerves.

"We'll try and take Australia on and see what happens."

England's confidence was boosted when they beat Australia by six wickets in the 2004 Champions Trophy semi-finals. Last year the teams shared a one-day tri-series after the final was tied.

Flintoff felt there was too much Ashes hype around Saturday's match.

"We're playing a big one-day international against Australia in an important competition," he said. "We're focused on tomorrow, we are going to try and win this game.

"The Ashes series will take care of itself."

Flintoff said he was wary of playing on the same pitch where England were shot out for 125 against India.

"We played on a wicket last week which was quite tricky," he said. "We're not quite sure what we are going to get tomorrow."

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Source: REUTERS
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